VILLAGERS refusing to quit a protest camp set up after gipsies moved onto greenbelt in Meriden claim they’ve been warned they could face a £20,000 fine – or jail.

Solihull Borough Council has rejected a call by Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID) to let them stay at their Eaves Green Lane site until March 2013.

Instead, the council has voted for legal action against the protesters – despite giving gipsies until that date to move on.

The village campaigners, including many infirm and elderly, say they now face the threat of court action and a maximum £20,000 fine, or even a possible jail term.

The authority could also look into a Dale Farm-style ‘direct action’ demolition of their 824-day camp.

Around 250 protestors have kept up a 24-hour vigil at the site since travellers arrived during the May Bank Holiday in 2010.

Neither the locals nor the gipsies have planning permission for their camps, but the travellers were told they could remain until next March following a High Court battle with Solihull Council.

Now, following a private planning meeting, councillors have voted to prosecute locals who have defied an enforcement notice issued in April to leave their site. The authority says it will consult lawyers before commencing any action.

Yet protesters remained defiant last night – with many stating they are prepared to go to jail for their cause.

RAID chairman David McGrath said: ‘‘The council could have given us the same extra time deal as they gave to the travellers who don’t live at the site at night but are causing daytime harm to the greenbelt.

“Instead they have gone for an option which will waste taxpayers’ money, even though we have stated that we will leave in March 2013 if the travellers keep to their agreement to go.

“We will not stop protesting until they go, even if that risks imprisonment.”

Wheelchair-bound grandad Russ Thomas, 72, said: “I’m prepared to go to jail. It’s disgraceful the council can behave in such a manner.”

The campaigners are being supported by Euro MEP Nikki Sinclaire. She said: “If protesting was an Olympic event, these people would get the gold medal.

“Solihull Council is wrong and should use their own judgement to dismiss the thought of action against this temporary presence.”

In an email to RAID, the council had made it clear that legal action was now on the cards, with the maximum fine for breaching a planning enforcement order set at £20,000.

It stated: ‘‘Following a debate of the issues the Committee resolved that the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to issue legal proceedings if an advice is obtained from Counsel confirming that such action would be both proportionate and expedient.

‘‘I confirm that we discussed the three options available to the Council to ensure compliance with an Enforcement Notice, those being, Prosecution, Injunction and Direct Action.

‘‘For the avoidance of doubt, the Council will be advised by Counsel, what, if any, action is the most expedient and proportional response. No decision has yet been made in this regard.’’

The council refused to comment on the jail claims last night.

Leader of the Council Ken Meeson said: “We are currently awaiting legal advice on this matter and therefore cannot comment further.”